Our names usually tell us apart, but can also throw up some strange bedfellows. Here we find 10 North East celebrities and their namesakes who - it has to be said - are not related to them in any way...

Alan Shearer/Harry Shearer

- one is Newcastle United's greatest ever goalscorer, the other the voice of Mr Burns in The Simpsons and the bass player in Spinal Tap

Cheryl Cole/Nat King Cole

- musical greats separated by half a century, race and a few thousand miles

Tim Healy/Dennis Healey

- one a stalwart of the Tyneside acting scene, the greatest leader Labour never had

Ruel Fox Dr Fox

- is there a connection between the diminutive former Toon winger and the DJ-cum-talent show judge. Probably not.

Paul Gascoigne/Bamber Gascoigne

- geniuses of a different kind: one on the football field, the other the cerebral long-time host of University Challenge

Robson Green/Al Green

- was the Soldier Soldier star's rendition of Unchained Melody influenced by the voice of one of the greatest soul singers ever? Not really.

Alexander Armstrong/Lance Armstrong

- the Pointless host from Northumberland is not related to the disgraced American cyclist. This is definitely the case.

Paul Collingwood /Admiral Lord Collingwood

- British heroes both: one an Ashes winning cricketer, the other Lord Nelson's right-hand man.